About Open Arms Mission

The general perception of an individual in need ranges from a homeless person to a drug addict. Nothing could be further from the truth! People who turn to Open Arms Mission for food and services include everyday individuals. They are:

• Your neighbors, co-workers, friends and, perhaps even, family.
• Two-income families suddenly reduced to one income or no income due to unemployment.
• Single parents receiving little or no child support.
• Senior citizens forced to choose between buying medication, paying utility bills or purchasing food.
• 1 in 10 residents of Illinois who are food insecure.

Open Arms Mission is the safety net that people from all walks of life rely on for assistance. Open Arms Mission helps individuals and families in their time of need by providing food, along with personal hygiene supplies and more.

Open Arms Mission is a non-profit organization that relies on donations from local churches, schools, businesses, civic organizations, corporate partners, grants, matching funds and individual giving.

Open Arms Mission exists because of many caring and giving “neighbors” who see a need and want to make a difference by offering their time and talents! Please join us in our efforts of “neighbor helping neighbor.”

We Don’t Simply Serve Food … We Serve People
In 2009, Open Arms Mission distributed 612,624 pounds of food and 8,944 gallons of milk. Since our start in 2000, we have helped more than 225,000 individuals.

Open Arms Mission is one of the largest food pantries in Lake County, assisting about 200 families each week – and we’re seeing an average of 30 new families each month. Almost one half (46%) of our clients are children under the age of 18.

The Need Is Great
The need for help is increasing for many reasons:

• Like other food pantries, we are experiencing shortages due to a combination of factors, including rising demand, tighter inventory controls that are leaving supermarkets and other retailers with less food to donate, and a sharp drop in federally distributed farm surpluses.

• Higher fuel prices are taking a toll on our clients, as well as Open Arms Mission’s expenses.

• The economic squeeze on household budgets has led to a drop in individual donations and an increase in demand for assistance. It’s not just the homeless who are hungry, it’s working people desperately trying to make ends meet!

$1 Can Purchase 11 Pounds of Food
Open Arms Mission operates efficiently with labor donated by our friends and partners. In addition, we partner with organizations that supply food and staples free or at wholesale rates, which allows us to leverage monetary donations. By doing this, Open Arms Mission can provide 11 pounds of food to a family in need with just a dollar donation.

To learn more about our services and how you can help, email Open Arms Mission or call 847.395.0309 today.

Click here to read our NEW brochure

Learn more about Lake County hunger statistics

"At the end of our lives, we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made or how many great things we have done. We will be judged by:

"I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless and you took me in. Hungry not only for bread - But hungry for love. Naked not only for clothing - But naked of human dignity and respect. Homeless not only for want of a room of bricks -  But homeless because of rejection.”

  Mother Teresa